East China's Shandong province saw robust tourism growth in 2019, being visited a total of 930 million times by people from within and outside of China, up 8.5 percent year on year, sources from the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism said recently.

Tourism revenue totaled 1.17 trillion yuan ($170 billion) last year in Shandong, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent.

Wang Lei, director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, said that the culture and tourism industry has become a powerful engine for boosting development in the province.

Wang said that Shandong has taken full advantage of its scenic spots, cultural venues and cultural enterprises and developed more diverse tourism packages and performances.

Shandong has also improved its infrastructure and services at tourist attractions.

Promotional activities have been organized both at home and abroad to expand.

The province has also been ramping up efforts in developing its nighttime economy, cross-border integration and ice-snow tourism.

Wang added that the province will continue to work with overseas Chinese Cultural Centers and organized a series of Confucius-themed activities to promote Shandong and raise its international profile.

She said that Shandong will launch campaigns promoting infrastructure construction and environmental protection at tourist sites and boost tourism along the Yellow River and Grand Canal.